Work Injuries You Should Get a Work Comp Lawyer For

If you’re hurt on the job, you’re entitled to workers compensation benefits. However, not every work injury is treated equally. There’s a big difference between sustaining a minor work injury while climbing up a ladder and experiencing a major work injury by being hit by a forklift. 

Filing a workers comp claim can be overwhelming. You may wonder what type of assistance a work comp lawyer would provide and if hiring an attorney is even necessary.  

If you’ve been injured or made ill because of your job, reach out to a lawyer about when you’re eligible to sue. If you’ve suffered any of the following injuries and illnesses, among others, you may have grounds for workers compensation or a lawsuit for your recovery.

Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos is a carcinogen that has been widely used in construction materials since the 1920s because it’s cheap and durable. Unfortunately, it’s also dangerous. 

Most Americans automatically assume that asbestos has been banned, but that’s not true. The use of asbestos has declined and asbestos isn’t mined anymore in the United States, but many industries still legally import, use, and sell asbestos products today. Exposure to asbestos has led to many workers compensation claims. 

Professionals most at risk for developing mesothelioma or lung cancer from asbestos exposure include the following:

• Firefighters
• Construction workers
• Automobile mechanics
• Electricians

There is no such thing as a safe amount of exposure. Any amount of asbestos exposure can have dire consequences, causing mesothelioma and other illnesses if you’re exposed. Reach out to a workers comp lawyer for this work-related condition. 

Silica-Related Illnesses

Silica is found in many workplaces, including construction sites, mining operations, and sandblasting operations. Breathing in silica dust may cause silicosis, a chronic type of lung disease that causes scar tissue to form. This can lead to breathing problems and can turn fatal in many cases. 

In Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska, the new OSHA silica standard for construction went into effect in 2017. The rule set stricter standards for work injury and exposure, but you may have been exposed anyway. Talk to a work comp lawyer about your options in this case. 

Beryllium Exposure

Beryllium is also highly dangerous to your health. It’s on the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) Substance Priority List, a list of some of the most dangerous substances you could be exposed to. 

Beryllium is a metal used in many products, including computer chips and fireworks. Workers who are exposed to beryllium dust or fumes can develop an illness called chronic beryllium disease (CBD).

Proving that an illness was caused by exposure to beryllium can be difficult because it takes many years for CBD to develop. If your doctor believes that your illness is related to beryllium exposure and you have been denied workers comp benefits because you cannot prove it, you may need to contact an experienced attorney for help with your claim.

Traumatic Brain Injury 

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a form of head injury that occurs when a sudden blow to the head causes damage to the brain. Symptoms are vague and may include confusion or loss of balance. More severe injuries can lead to memory loss, loss of motor control, and other symptoms that may make working impossible.

A workers comp claim for a  TBI can be hard to prove because sometimes symptoms don’t appear until weeks or months after the original injury. 

Amputation 

Working with heavy machinery can be dangerous, leading to severe pulling or crushing injuries. If your fingers, arms, legs, or feet are caught in one of these machines, it can cause severe enough damage to require the removal of the limb or digit. 

A traumatic amputation means you may need to relearn certain skills, such as learning to walk with a prosthetic leg. These can make getting back to work difficult. In cases where your job requires physical labor, it can even lead to a permanent inability to work. Your lawyer can guide you through the process of getting the coverage you need after these injuries. 

Call a Work Comp Lawyer About Your Injury

Every week, we see workers in our office with burns, broken bones, back or spinal cord work injuries, and injuries from slip-and-falls. And it’s an unfortunate fact of life that insurance companies and employers often do not want to pay out the full amount of compensation they owe you. 

If you have sustained a work injury, it’s important to know your options so that you can get the compensation you deserve. Call Conway, Pauley & Johnson P.C. at 402-462-5187 or contact us online for a free consultation.